The Week

■ A long-needed debate on National Purpose emerged over Speaker Foley’s ringing affirmation of the tax bill: “This is a time to stand and deliver!” Certainly it offers a true perspective on National Purpose as seen from inside the Beltway. Mr. Mike Royko suggests that “stand and deliver” replace “in God we trust” on our coins, and that the phrase be engraved over the door of every government building and printed boldly on every IRS form.

■ Dick Cheney need not wait until 1996 to display his leadership and commitment to the GOP. When former Bush appointee Bobbie Kilberg ran for the Republican nomination for Virginia lieutenant governor this year, Cheney was her most prominent supporter. Miss Kilberg campaigned hard against conservative lawyer Mike Farris, portraying his profamily views as “extremist” and attacking his support for school choice. Virginia Republicans saw it differently, and Mr. Farris won. Although Miss Kilberg is from the “big tent” wing of the party, she has refused to endorse Mr. Farris and freely trashes his supporters in the press. Mr. Cheney has himself backed the ticket; having played such a public role in the Kilberg campaign, he should now insist that she do the same. In recent U.S. Senate races in both Georgia and Texas, pro-family activists supported GOP nominees after their preferred candidates lost in primaries. We’ll now see if liberal Republicans can walk the talk of the big tent.

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■ A long-needed debate on National Purpose emerged over Speaker Foley’s ringing affirmation of the tax bill: “This is a time to stand and deliver!” Certainly it offers a true perspective on National Purpose as seen from inside the Beltway. Mr. Mike Royko suggests that “stand and deliver” replace “in God we trust” on our coins, and that the phrase be engraved over the door of every government building and printed boldly on every IRS form.

■ Dick Cheney need not wait until 1996 to display his leadership and commitment to the GOP. When former Bush appointee Bobbie Kilberg ran for the Republican nomination for Virginia lieutenant governor this year, Cheney was her most prominent supporter. Miss Kilberg campaigned hard against conservative lawyer Mike Farris, portraying his profamily views as “extremist” and attacking his support for school choice. Virginia Republicans saw it differently, and Mr. Farris won. Although Miss Kilberg is from the “big tent” wing of the party, she has refused to endorse Mr. Farris and freely trashes his supporters in the press. Mr. Cheney has himself backed the ticket; having played such a public role in the Kilberg campaign, he should now insist that she do the same. In recent U.S. Senate races in both Georgia and Texas, pro-family activists supported GOP nominees after their preferred candidates lost in primaries. We’ll now see if liberal Republicans can walk the talk of the big tent.